Telephone unit



Nov. 18, 1941.

E. BENISEK ETAL 2,253,066 v TELEPHONE UNIT Filed March 29,1940 2Sheets-Sheet 2 i SS ( f 3/ a? v56 I "53 l I: I I S T v Q -/9 :0 Q 55%INSULATION 58 %57 I 57 2 LHJ '0 (O) 20 m a 6 64 52; 70'

INVENTORS EDWARD BENISEK BY THEODORE c. RIEBE v Aw), ATTORNEYS PatentedNov. 18, 1941 TELEPHONE UNIT Edward Benisek, Geneva, and Theodore C.Riebe, Chicago, 111., assignors to Associated Electric Laboratories,Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application March 29,1940, Serial No. 326,550

4 Claims. (Cl. 179-.29)

The present invention relates to telephone units and more particularlyto telephone equipment vention to provide an improved telephone unitcomprising both battery type and non-battery type of telephoneequipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved telephone unitadapted to be supported by the body of a user which comprises bothbattery type and sound-powered type of telephone equipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a telephone unit, animproved apparatus casing housing telephone equipment which isselectively operative to render-usable in conjunction with a telephoneline both a first microphone of the battery throat type and a secondmicrophone of the sound-powered type.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a telephone unit, animproved apparatus casing housing telephone equipment which is connectedby water-tight connections to associated receiver and transmitter andtelephonelines.

In general, the objects as set forth above are attained in accordancewith the present invention by providing, in a telephone unit of thecharacter noted, an apparatus casing, means for supporting the apparatuscasing upon the body of a user, a receiver, means for supporting thereceiver upon the body of a user, a first microphone of thevoltage-generating sound-waveactuated type, means for supporting thefirst microphone upon the apparatus casing in proper relationship withrespect to the body of a user, a second microphone of the batteryvibratingmuscular-actuated type, and means for'supporting the secondmicrophone upon the body of a user. Also the telephone unit comprises areceiver line connected to the receiver, means for completing awater-tight connection between the receiver line and the apparatuscasing, a first contact plug connected to the first microphone, a secondcontact plug connected to the second microphone, a contact socketcarried by the apparatus casing and adapted to receive eitherone of thecontact plugs, means for completing a water-tight connection between theapparatus casing and the one of thecontact plugs inserted into thecontact socket, a telephone line, and means for completing a water-tightconnection between the telephoneline and the apparatus casing. Also theapparatus casing houses telephone equipment including a switch and abattery and a circuit network, the receiver line and the telephone linebeing connected to the circuit network, and the circuit networkincluding a first operating circuit excluding the battery for the firstmicrophone and a second operating circuit including the battery for thesecond microphone. Finally the telephone unit comprises means includingthe switch for selectivelycompleting the first operating circuit and thesecond operating circuit and means including an operating handle carriedby the apparatus casing for selectively operating the switch.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular constructionand arrangement of the telephone unit, whereby the above-outlined andadditional operating features areattained.

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention areset forthwith particularity in the appended claims. The invention, bothas to its organization and method of operation, together with furtherobjects and advantages -thereof,-will best be understood by reference tothe following specification taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings inwhich Figure 1 is a rear elevational view of a portabletelephone unit embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sideelevational view of the telephone unit shown in Fig. l; Fig. 3 is afront elevational view of an apparatus casing, with the cover removed,and forming a part of the telephone unit; Fig. 4 is a longitudinalsectional view of the apparatus casing taken along the line 4-4 in Fig.3, illustrating the arrangement of the apparatus housed therein; andFig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit incorporated inthe telephone unit.

Referring now'more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings,there is illustrated a portable telephone unit embodying the features ofthe present invention and comprising a supporting chestplate l0 which isadapted to be supported by a shoulderstrap II against the chest ofauser. Preferably, the chest plate II] has a substantially dishedconfiguration and is provided with a pairof oppositely and outwardlyextending upper arms l2, a pair of oppositely and outwardly extendinglower arms [3 :and a pair of rearwardly extending substantially parallelintermediate arms l4. Preferably, the shoulder strap H is provided withan arrangement, not shown, for adjusting the length thereof and carriesbuckles 15 on the opposite ends thereof which cooperate with pins I6carried by the upper arms 12 of the chest plate ill to provide adisengageable connection of the bayonet type between the pins !6 and thebuckles [5, thereby to facilitate ready placement and removal of thechest plate with respect to the chest of the user.

An apparatus casing i7 is removably carried by the chest plate andcomprises a front wall I8 and a removable rear cover 19, the cover 19being secured to the front wall 18 by a number of screws 29 and a gasket21 being interposed between the front wall l8 and the cover 19 in orderto render the apparatus casing I! watertight. The apparatus casing 11 issecured to the chest plate ID by a number of screws 22 extending throughopenings provided in a number of tabs 23 carried by the front wall I3 ofthe apparatus casing I1 and threaded into tapped holes provided in thechest plate i0.

Also the telephone unit comprises a microphone 24 of thevoltage-generating sound-waveactuated or sound-powered type including anenclosing casing 25, a mouthpiece 26 and a push button control switch21. Preferably the microphone 24 is of the construction of thatdisclosed in the copending application of Albert E. Woodruif and AlbertP. Horlacher, Serial No. 209,802, filed May 24, 1938. The microphone 24is pivotally mounted on the chest plate [0 by a supporting bracketincluding two links 28 and 29. The link 28 is substantially Y-shaped andincludes a pair of outwardly extending legs 30 embracing the upper endof the apparatus casing H and pivotally secured to the intermediate arms84 carried by the chest plate It by an arrangement including twofastening elements provided with friction nuts 31; while the link 29 issubstantially Y-shaped and includes a pair of outwardly extending legs92 embracing the casing 25 of the microphone 24, the casing 25 of themicrophone 24 being pivotally mounted between microphone 24 is pivotallymounted on the link 29, the links 28 and'29 being pivotally connectedtogether. This arrangement provides for universal adjustment of themouthpiece 26 of the microphone24 in both the horizontal and verticaldirection with respect to the mouth of the user.

Further the telephone unit comprises a microphone -35 of the batteryvibrating-muscularactuated or throat type including two microphone cells35 connected together by a flexible insulating link 31. Further thethroat microphone 35 is provided with a neckband 38, one end of which issecured to one of the microphone cells 36 and the other end of whichcarries 'a buckle 39 which is adapted to cooperate with a hook 49carried by the'other microphone cell -36, thereby to provide a fasteningelement of the hook-and-eye type, in order to facilitate ready placementand removal of the throat microphone 35 upon the neck of the user.Preferably the throat. microphone 35 is of the construction of thatdisclosed in Albert E. Woodruff and Albert F. Horlacher Patent No.2,18%,262, issued December 19, 1939; while each of the microphone cellsis of the construction of that disclosed in Albert E. Woodruff andAlbert F. Horlacher Patent No. 2,184,064, issued December 19, 1939.

Further the telephone unit comprises two substantially identicalreceivers 4|, each including an enclosing casing 42 and a resilientearpiece Preferably each of the receivers M is of the construction ofthat disclosed in the copending application of Albert E. Woodruff andAlbert F.

Horlacher, Serial No. 209,892, filed May 24, 1938. The receivers ll areretained in proper relationship with respect to the ears of the user byan arrangementcomprising two supporting brackets 44 individuallyassociated with the receivers 4|,

a headband 45, and a chinstrap 46. More particularly, each receiver M ispivotally mounted within the associated supporting bracket M by anarrangement comprising two friction trunnions 45, thereby to facilitateadjustments of the earpieces 43 of the receivers M with respect to theears of the user. Also each supporting bracket 49 carries an upwardlydirected rod 41 which accommodates a sliding friction fixture 48 securedto one end of the headband 45, the friction fixtures 48 being slidableupon the associated rods n in order to accommodate adjustments of thereceivers 4! in the vertical direction. Also each friction fixture 38 isprovided with a thumb screw 49 which is effective positively to securethe friction fixture 48 in its adjusted position upon the associated rod31'. The chinstrap 46 carries buckles 50 on the opposite ends thereof,each of which cooperates with a pin 5! carried by the lower end of theassociated supporting bracket fi l in order to provide a disengageablefastening element of the bayonet type. Also the chinstrap 1-5 carries abuckle 52 which provides for adjustment of the length thereof, therebyto permit the user comfortably to retain the receivers M in theiradjusted positions.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, of thedrawings, the apparatus casing [1 houses an induction coil 53, acondenser 54, a two-position switch 55 and a battery casing 56. Theinduction coil 53, the condenser 54, the switch 55 and the batterycasing 56 are secured to the removable rear cover H! of the apparatuscasing 11, certain of these elements being encircuited with respect tothe microphones 24 and 35 and the receivers ll in a manner more fullydescribed hereinafter. The switch 55 is provided with an operating shaftextending through an opening in the side wall of the rear cover 29 whichcarries an operating handle 51, the operating handle 51 being arrangedto cooperate with indicia S and T provided on the side wall of the rearcover H] for purposes more fully described subsequently. Also'thebattery casing56 receives one or moredry cell batteries 58 and isprovided with a removable cap 59 which is threaded into the mouth of anopening communicating between the interior of the battery casing 56 andthe exterior adjacent to the upper wall of the rear casing 19, in orderto facilitate ready placement and removal of the dry cell batteries 58with respect to the interior of the battery casing 56. i

The opposite side walls of the rear cover [9 of the apparatus casing llcarry two tubular flanges 69 through which two insulation coveredreceiver lines 6| extending to the receivers =4! project. Eachinsulation covered receiver line 6| projecting through one of thetubular flanges 60 is surroundedwby a lock nut 62 in'order securely toanchor the receiver line16| inplace'and to render the "apparatus casing=1-i water-tight. Also the opposite ends of thereceiver lines 6| projectthrough the casings 42 of: the receivers 4| and are anchored in placebywater-tight con nections including lock nuts "63 threadedinto openingsprovided in the casings 42 of the receivers 4|. Also thebottom wall ofthe rear cover l9 of apparatus casing I! is provided with a tubularflange 64 through whichone end of, aninsulation covered telephone line65 projects, the end of the telephone line 65 projecting through thetubular flange 64 being anchored in place by a A water-tight connectionincluding a lock nut 66 carrying ahelical coil spring 6-! surroundingthe telephone line 65 in order to prevent the conthe telephone line 65.telephone line 65 terminates in a line plug 68 carrying a helical coilspring :69 surrounding the the other end o-ithe lines and 83 arerespecentively connected by water-tight connections to the plug 8| and thesocket 82, th plug 8| being connected ,by a water-tight connection tothe socket 82; .while the line 18 is connected by a water-tight,connection to the sound-powered microphone 24. Hence it will beunderstood that the sound-powered microphone 24 and the throatmicrophone 35 may be selectively utilized in the telephone unit byselectively connecting the contact plugs 12 and 1| to the apparatuscasing as previously explained.

motion from damaging theinsulation covering The opposite end of theadapted to be inserted into the socket carried in n the tubular sleeve19 and securely anchored in place by a. lock nut 13 in order to providea water-tight connectiontherebetween; while the contact plug 12 isadapted to'be inserted in the contact socket carried in the tubularsleeve 15 and securely anchored in place by. a lock nut 14 in order toprovide a water-tight connection therebetween. The contact plug 1|terminates an insulation covered line 15 anchored thereto by a lock nut16 carrying a helical coil spring 11 surrounding the line 15 in order toprevent the insulation .coveringthe line 15 from being daml aged by theconnection; while the contact plug I2 terminates an insulation coveredline 18 anchored thereto by a' lock nut 19 carrying a helical coilspring86 surrounding the line 18 in order to prevent the insulation coveringthe line 18 from being damaged by the connection.

The other end of the line '15 terminates in plug 8| which is adapted tobe inserted into an associated socket 82 terminating an insulationcovered line 83, the line83 being molded integrally with the insulatinglink 31 extending between the microphone cells 36 of the throatmicrophone 35. The other end of the line 18 extends through an openingprovided in the casing 25 of the sound-powered microphone 24 and isanchored in place by a water-tight connection including a lock nut 84. lp

In view of the above description of the construction and arrangement oftheapparatus casing it will be understood that water-tight connectionsare provided between the receiver lines 6| extending to the receivers 4|and the apparatus casing H and that a water-tight connection is providedbetween the telephone line 65 extending to the line plug 68 and theapparatus casing Also water-tight connections maybe completedselectively between the apparatus casing l1 and the lines 15 and 18respectively terminating in the contact plugs H and 'lz. Furthermore,

telephone line 65.

For a better'unders'tandingof the connection and arrangement of thecircuit elementslof the telephone unit reference is had to Fig.5.Refer-.

ring now to Fig. 5 it is noted that the telephone line 65 extendingbetween the line plug 63 and the apparatus casing comprises two lineconductors C and. CSI, between which the condenser 54 is directlybridgedand between which the receivers 4| are connected in parallelrelationship. Also it is noted that the inductioncoil 53 comprises aprimary winding 92 and a secondary winding 93 which are adapted to beoperatively connected between the line conductors C90 and. C9| of thetelephone line 65 when the switch 55 is actuated to its closed contactposition.

.In order operatively to connect the throat microphone 35 to thetelephone 1ine'65 it is only necessary for the person wearing thetelephone unit to-insert the contact plug into the associated contactsocket disposed in the tubular sleeve Ill and then operate the switch 55by means of the operating handle 51 from its open contact position toits closed contact position, thereby to,

complete a circuit for energizing in series the primaryjwinding 92 'ofthe induction coil 53 and the throat microphone 35 including the drycell battery 58. This circuit extends from ground by way of the contacts94 of the switch55, the primary winding 92 of the induction coil 53, thecontacts 95 of the switch 55, the line conductor C9| of the telephoneline 55, the contact plug TI and associated contact socket, the throatmicrophone35, the contact plug II and associated contact socket and thebattery 58 to ground. Also when the switch 55 is operated to its closedcon-, tact position there is completed at the contacts 95 thereof anobvious path for connecting the secondary winding 93 of the inductioncoil 53 between the lineconductors C90 and CSI of the At this time thethroat microphone 35 isresponsive to the muscular vibrations of thethroat of the person using the telephone unit to cause correspondingsignal currents to be transmitted over the telephone line 65. Moreparticularly, the muscular vibrations cause corresponding variations inthe impedance of the microphone cells in the throat microphone 35,thereby to cause a corresponding variable energizationof the primarywinding 92 of the induction coil 53. The current variations in theprimary winding 92 of the induction coil 53 cause corresponding signalvoltages to be produced in the secondary winding 93 of the inductioncoil 53,

which signal voltages are applied directly to the line conductors C96and C9| of the telephone line 65. The capacitance of the condenser 54bridged output of the throat microphone 35 to be enhanced and to causethe signal current input to the receivers 4| to be enhanced, thereby toimprove both the transmission and reception of the telephone unit.

In order to disconnect the throat microphone 35 from the telephone line65 it is only necessary for the person using the telephone unit toactuate the switch 55 from its closed contact position to its opencontact position, thereby to interrupt at the contacts Hand 95 thereofthe previously traced series circuit for energizing the primary winding92 of the induction coil 53 and throat microphone 35, and to interruptat the contacts 95 thereof the previously mentioned circuit forconnecting the secondary winding 93 of the induction coil 53 between theline conductors C90 and CSI of the telephone line 65. At this time thecontact plug may be withdrawn from the associated contact socket.

In order operatively to connect the soundpowered microphone 24 to thetelephone line 65 it is only necessary for the person using thetelephone unit to insert the contact plug 12 into the associated contactsocket disposed in the tubular sleeve and operate the push button switch21, thereby to complete a circuit for connecting the sound-poweredmicrophone across the line'conductors C90 and C9! of the telephone line65. This circuit extends from the line conductor-CSI] of the telephoneline 65 by way of the contact plug 12 and associated contact socket, thesound-powered microphone 24, the contacts of the push button switch 2'!and the contact plug 12 and associated contact socket to the lineconductor C9| of the telephone line 65. At this time the sound-poweredmicrophone 24 is operative in response to sound waves transmittedthereto to cause corresponding signal voltages to be generated which areimpressed by way of the connection previously traced between the lineconductors C90 and Gill of the telephone line 65.

' The capacitance of the condenser 54 is proportioned with respect tothe impedance of the sound-powered microphone 24 and the impedance ofthe receivers 4|, thereby to improve both the transmission and receptionof the tele phone unit.

In order to disconnect the sound-powered microphone 24 from the line 65it is only necessary to return the push button switch 21 to its normalposition, thereby to interrupt the previously traced connection betweenthe soundpowered microphone 24 and the line conductors C90 and C9| ofthe telephone line 65. At this time the contact plug 12 may be withdrawnfrom the associated contact socket.

In View of the foregoing description of the mode of operation of thetelephone unit it will be understood that the throat microphone 35 andthe sound-powered microphone 24 may be used selectively in combinationwith the receivers 4| merely by manipulating the corresponding contactplugs TI and 12 and the corresponding switches 55 and 21. Further it isnoted that the contact socket disposed in the tubular sleeve 10, whichis adapted selectively to receive the contact plugs TI and I2, is soconstructed and arranged that the contact plugs H and 12 are insertablethereinto only in given relationships, thereby to cause the appropriatecircuits respectively including the throat microphone 35 and thesound-powered microphone 24 to be prepared. Further it is noted that thedry cell batteries 58 disposed in the battery casing 56 housed in theapparatus casing I! may be readily inserted and removed when the cap 59is unthreaded and removed from the upper wall of the rear cover IQ ofthe apparatus casing Finally it is noted that the shoulder strap carriedby the chest plate Ill, the neck strap 38 carried by the throatmicrophone 35, and the chinstrap 46 carried by the receivers 4|, may bereadily placed upon and removed from the body of the user for purpose ofconvenience, due to the provision of the detachable types of fasteningelements described; and that the contact plugs H and 12 may bemanipulated with respect to the associated contact socket and theswitches 55 and 2'! actuated while the telephone unit is being used,thereby to facilitate convenient utilization of the telephone unit.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to coverin the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A telephone unit comprising an apparatus casing, means for supportingsaid apparatus casing upon the body of a user, a receiver, means forsupporting said receiver upon the body of a user, a first microphone ofthe voltage-generating sound-wave-actuated type, means for supportingsaid first microphone upon said apparatus casing in proper relationshipwith respect to the body of a user, a second microphone of the batteryvibrating-muscular-actuated type, means for supporting said secondmicrophone upon the body of a user, a receiver line connected to saidreceiver, means for completing a water-tight connection between saidreceiver line and said apparatus casing, a first contact plug connectedto said first microphone, a second contact plug connected to said secondmicrophone, a contact socket carried by said apparatus casing andadapted to receive either one of said contact plugs, means forcompleting a water-tight connection between said apparatus casing andthe one of said contact plugs inserted into said contact socket, atelephone line, means for completing a water-tight connection betweensaid telephone line and said apparatus casing, said apparatus casinghousing telephone equipment including a switch and a battery and acircuit network, said receiver line and said telephone line beingconnected to said circuit network, said circuit network including afirst operating circuit excluding said battery for said first microphoneand a second operating circuit including said battery for said secondmicrophone, means including said switch for selectively completing saidfirst operating circuit and said second operating circuit, and meansincluding an operating handle carried by said apparatus casing forselectively operating said switch.

2. A telephone unit comprising an apparatus casing, means for supportingsaid apparatus casing upon the body of a user, a receiver, means forsupporting said receiver upon the body of a user, a first microphone ofthe voltage-generating sound-Wave-actuated type, means for supportingsaid first microphone upon said apparatus casing in proper relationshipwith respect to the body of a user, a second microphone of the batteryvibrating-muscular-actuated type, means for supporting said secondmicrophone upon the body of a user, a receiver line connected to saidreceiver and extending to said apparatus casing, a first contact fixtureconnected to said first microphone, a second contact fixture connectedto said second microphone, a common contact fixture carried by saidapparatus casing and adapted to connect with either said first contactfixture or said second contact fixture, a telephone line extending tosaid apparatus casing, said apparatus casing housing telephone equipmentincluding a switch and a battery and a circuit network, said receiverline and said telephone line being connected to said circuit network,said circuit network including a first operating circuit excluding saidbattery for said first microphone and a second operating circuitincluding said battery for said second microphone, and means includingsaid switch for selectively completing said first operating circuit andsaid second operating circuit.

3. A telephone unit comprising an apparatus casing adapted to besupported upon the body of a user, a receiver adapted to be supportedupon the body of a user, a first microphone of the voltage-generatingsound-wave-actuated type, means for supporting said first microphoneupon said apparatus casing in proper relationship with respect to thebody of a user, a second microphone of the batteryvibrating-muscularactuated type adapted to be supported upon the body ofa user, a receiver line connected to said receiver, means for completinga water-tight connection between said receiver line and said apparatuscasing, a first contact fixture connected to said first microphone, asecond contact fixture connected to said second microphone, a commoncontact fixture carried by said apparatus casing and adapted to connectwith either said first contact fixture or said second contact fixture,means for completing a water-tight connection between said apparatuscasing and the one of said first-mentioned contact fixtures connectedwith said common contact fixture, a telephone line, means for completinga water-tight connection between said telephone line and said apparatuscasing, said apparatus casing housing telephone equipment including aswitch and a battery and a-circuit network, said receiver line and saidtelephone line being connected to said circuit network, said circuitnetwork including afirst operating circuit excluding said battery. forsaid first microphone and a second operating circuit including saidbattery for said second microphone, and means including said switch forselectively completing said first operating circuit and said secondoperating circuit.

4. A telephone unit comprising an apparatus casing adapted to besupported upon the body of a user, a receiver adapted to be supportedupon the body of a user, a first microphone of the voltage-generatingsound-wave-actuated type, means for supporting said first microphoneupon said apparatus casing in proper relationship with respect to thebody of a user, a second microphone of the batteryvibrating-muscularactuated type adapted to be supported upon the body ofa user, a receiver line connected to said receiver and extending to saidapparatus casing, a first contact fixture connected to said firstmicrophone, a second contact fixture connected to said secondmicrophone, a common contact fixture carried by said apparatus casingand adapted to connect with either said first contact fixture-or saidsecond contact fixture, a telephone line extending to said apparatuscasing, said apparatus casing housing telephone equipment including aswitch and a battery and a circuit network, said receiver line and saidtelephone line being connected to said circuit network, said circuitnetwork including a first operating circuit excluding said batteryforsaid first microphone and a second operating circuit including saidbattery for said second microphone, and means including said switch forselectively completing said first operating circuit and said secondoperating circuit EDWARD BENISE-K. THEODORE C.

